Seal.



J. FRITZ, SB.-

SEAL.

APPLICATION FILED 3.11, 1914.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Suva 1 :01 J Ff? rz, 5n.

witneooeo THE NORRIS PETERS c0. PHOTCVLITHO WASHING TON. D c

UNITED STATES PA TENT OFFICE.

JOHN FRITZ, SR., OF LONG EDDY, NEW YORK.

SEAL.

Application filed April 11, 1914.

To all whom it may, concern Be it known that 1, JOHN Fnrrz, $12, acitizen of the United States, residing at Long Eddy, in the county ofSullivan and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Seals, of which the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in seals and moreparticularly to a seal which is adapted to be used in sealing cars, orvaluable packages or boxes, the main object of the invention being theprovision of a seal which is self-locking and is so constructed that thesame cannot be removed, without breaking the seal.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of aself-locking seal of the above character which will possess advantagesin points of efficiency and durability, is inexpensive to manufactureand, at the same time, is simple in construction and operation.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts aswill be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in thespecification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure 1is a side elevation of a seal constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the same.Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of the spring locking member; andFig. 4 is an end elevation of the seal.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 1 indicates the body portionof the seal which is preferably formed of lead, and one end thereof issubstantially straight, while the opposite end is oval in form, asindicated at 2, and is flat as indicated in top plan. The body 1 isformed within a suitable mold and during the formation of the body, theinner end of the connecting wire 3 is arranged within the mold at oneside thereof so that when the lead is poured therein, the end of thewire will be embedded within the body of the seal. The end of the wirewhich is formed within the body of the seal is looped upon itself, asshown at 4, so as to prevent the same from being readily withdrawntherefrom.

The body of the seal is provided with a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Serial No. 831,229.

recess 5, which extends inwardly in the body from the flat face thereofand formed within the body and communicating with the recess 5, adjacentthe lower end thereof, are the recesses G, which are disposed uponopposite sides of the recess The end of the wire 3, opposite the loop i,is provided with an eye 7, and mounted upon the wire 3, is a springcatch member 8 which is preferably Ushaped in form, as illustrated inFig. 1 and is provided with an enlarged central portion 9 which formsshoulders 10 adapted to engage with the flat face of the body 1, whenthe catch member is arranged in position, to limit the inward slidingmovement of the same and also rigidly hold said catch member inposition. The ends of the catch member 8 are bent outwardly to form theengaging hooks 11, which are adapted to be disposed within the recesses6, when the catch member is arranged within the recess 5 to prevent thewithdrawal of said catch member and the loop end 7 of the wire 3.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, it will be readily apparent that the operation of my improvedseal is as follows: When it is desired to seal a car door, or any othersimilar device, the loop end 7, is engaged through the fasteningportions and then inserted within the recess 5. In order to lock theloop end 7 within the body of the seal, the side portions of theU-shaped member 8, which are resilient, are pressed inwardly, so thatthey may be readily inserted within the recess 5, it being understoodthat said U-shaped member is slidably mounted upon the wire 3. Bypressing inwardly upon the member 8, the hooked parts 11 upon the endsthereof will readily pass within the recess 5 and engage the recesses 6formed in the end walls thereof and thus prevent the withdrawal of thelooped end 7 of the wire from the recess 5, so that in order to gainaccess to the device, upon which the seal is applied, the wire 3 on thebody of the seal must be broken, thus indicating, that the device hasbeen entered by an unauthorized person.

My improved seal, as herein shown and described is extremely simple inconstruction and can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, itwill be obvious that various changes in the details of construction andin the proportions may be resorted to for successfully carrying myinvention into practice, without sacrificing any of the novel featuresor departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, What I claim is 1. A device of theclass described including a body member having a recess in one endthereof, the side Walls of said recess being provided with notches, aconnecting Wire having one end embedded in one side of the body memberand the other end bent upon itself adapted to be inserted Within therecess, and means slidably mounted upon the connecting vvire adapted tobe arranged Within the recess and engage in the recesses in the sidevvalls thereof to retain the connecting Wire in a locked position;

v2. A device of the class described including body member having arecess in one end thereof, the side Walls of said recess beingprovid edWith notches, a connectingwire having oneend embedded in=one side of thebody ember, pliable U-s hape gi member slidablyinouiited upon theconnecting, Wire, hooks formed upon the ends thereof and the bodymember, a U-shaped member slidably mounted upon the connecting wire, onposed hook members formed on the ends thereof and adapted to be engagedin the notches in the side Walls of said recesses, and a loop formed onthe'end of said Wire and adapted to be engaged between the ends of theU-shaped member to retain the same Within the notches.

I In testimony whereof I hereunto my signature in the presence of twoWitnesses.

i JOHN FRITZ, s. Witnesses CARL Bomimm,

JOHN W. A'sn.

(topics '5: this patent be obtained for it}: 'eents eael addressing the"Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, DQC."

